Police: Teens break into schools, cause $20K in damage

Lyman High School, Lake Brantley High School burglarized, police say

UPDATED 6:00 PM EST Jan 11, 2013

Detectives in Seminole County said they arrested the three teenagers responsible for causing more than $20,000 in damage after breaking into two high schools.

Police said on Dec. 22, the trio broke into Lyman High School in Longwood and caused $17,000 worth of damage about 2:30 a.m. Surveillance video shows the teens wielding crowbars and damaging several soda machines, even pushing one over. Cash, electronics and concession items were stolen, and extensive damage was caused to classrooms and school property, police said.

"We did have some paint thrown around one of the carpentry classrooms and some smashed light bulbs and things like that," said Longwood police Cpl. Travis Grimm.

"Several windows were broken at the school, several vending machines were damaged where they had to be removed from the school premises," said Grimm.

Police said last Friday night, there was another break-in at Lake Brantley High School.

Two of the teens caused damage to the gym and baseball locker room, and the damage was estimated at $10,000, police said.

A concession stand was also broken into Tuesday night in Merrill Park, causing $2,000 in damage.

The teens, whom WESH 2 is not identifying because two are minors, were charged with burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.

School staff helped police identify the suspects.

Seminole County School officials said the students will most likely be suspended and possibly expelled.